PLZ-45 (Type 88) Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
PLZ-45, Type 88
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Other
Basic Information
Name
PLZ-45 (Type 88) Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Designation
PLZ-45, Type 88
Alternate Designation
PLZ-45, Type 88
Equipment Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
1997
Description
The PLZ-45 or Type 88 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Norinco in the 1990s for the export market. It is based on Norinco's Type 89 (PLL01) 155mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer. The PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer is used by the People's Liberation Army of China, People's National Army (Algeria), Kuwaiti Army and Saudi Arabian Army. Operated by a crew of five (commander, gunner, two loaders and a driver), the PLZ-45 is armed with a 155mm, 45-calibre main gun, with a semi-automatic loader and an electrically controlled and hydraulically operated ram that enables projectile loading to take place at any angle of elevation with the charge being loaded manually. The turret has an elevation of +72 to -3 degrees with 360 degree traverse. Secondary weapons include a roof-mounted W-85 heavy machine gun and two sets of four-barrel smoke grenade launchers on the turret's side. Ammunition is stored at the rear of the turret. A total of 30 rounds for the gun-howitzer and 480 rounds for the machine gun are carried on board. 24 howitzer rounds are carried in the loader and 6 rounds on the right side below the loader. The fire-control system of the PLZ-45 includes an automatic laying system, optical sighting system, gun orientation and navigation system, and a GPS receiver.
Ground Specifications
Crew
5
Engine
Turbocharged Diesel (525 hp)
Active Protection
explosion detection
NBC Protection
Yes
Range
450.0 km
Variants
PLZ-52
The PLZ-52 looks similar to the PLZ45 but is a more capable system with a longer 52-calibre barrel and better mobility.
System
Alternative Designation
PLZ-45, Type 88
Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Caliber
155mm
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Expected Out of Service Date
2040
Status
In Production
Family
PLZ
Crew
5 ea
Chassis
Turreted tracked chassis.
Displacement Time
INA
Emplacement Time
INA
Day Periscopes
2 ea
Cruising Range (Road)
450 km
Maximum Effective Range (Howitzer)
50,000 m
Note
A standard PLZ-45 battalion consists of 3 batteries, each with 6 PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzers (SPH) and 6 PCZ-45 ammunition support vehicles (ASV). Each battery has a battery command post and 3 battery reconnaissance vehicles (BRV), both of which are based on the Type 85 APC. These are supported by W653A armored recovery vehicles, 704-1 artillery locating and fire correction radar, 702-D meteorological radar, and fire support maintenance vehicles
Dimensions
Length, Overall
10.52 m
Length, Hull
6.1 m
Width
3.3 m
Height, to Turret Roof
2.6 m
Height, to Top of Roof Mounted Weapon
3.52 m
Height, Axis of Fire
2.16 m
Weight, Standard
29,000 kg
Weight, Combat
33,000 kg
Ground Clearance
0.45 m
Automotive
Engine Name
Deutz BF12 L413FC
Engine Type
Turbocharged air-cooled diesel engine
Engine Power
525 hp
Power-to-Weight Ratio
16.40 hp/t
Range
450 km
Speed, Maximum Road
55 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
50 km/h
Speed Maximum Swim
Not Amphibious
Suspension
Torsion Bar
Fording Depth
INA m
Gradient
58%
Side Slope
47%
Vertical Obstacle
0.7 m
Communications
TBR-142
VHF FM Transceiver
Yes, TBR-142(I)
VHF Range
1 to 50 km
Megahertz
40.000 to 59.975 MHz
Output Power
1 to 0.3 Watts
Power
12V Ni-Ca Rechargeable Battery or external 12V DC power source
Dimensions
217x135x58 mm
Weight
2.7 kg
Antennas
3 Total: a 1.3m whip antenna, a 0.3m short antenna, and a 10m wire antenna
Proliferated
Widely with Artillery/Gun/Missile/Reconnaissance/C2 Units
Control Device
TBR-142(II)
Multi-function Field Phone
TBR-142(IIID)
Anti-Aircraft Control Unit
TBR-142(IIIG)
ZXY88-200 C2 Capable
Yes
Messaging
Limited Capability
Amplifier
Available
Physical Conditions Limitations
Terrain and Weather favorable
Main Gun
System
Name
1 × turret mounted 155mm howitzer
Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Caliber
155mm
Loader Type
semi-automatic loader
Max Rate of Fire
5 rds/min
Sustain Rate of Fire
2 rds/min
Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained
INA
Projectile Laying System
Automatic
Max Elevation
+72 deg
Min Elevation
-3 deg
Traverse Left (Normal Operations)
30 def
Traverse Right (Normal Operations)
30 deg
Traverse
360 deg
Range Finder Type
Inertial direction-finder
Control Type
Electric and hydraulically operated rammer enabled projectiles
Muzzle Velocity Measuring Device
Yes
Note
The PLZ-45 can also fire NATO 155mm M107 Projectiles.
Ammunition (Option 1)
Type
High Explosive (HE)
Caliber
155 mm
Muzzle Velocity
937 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
24 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles
Ammunition (Option 2)
Type
Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB)
Caliber
155 mm
Length
938 mm
Weight
45.54 kg
Muzzle Velocity
897 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
30 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles
Ammunition (Option 3)
Type
Extended Range Full Bore, Hollow Base, Base Bleed (ERFB-HB-BB)
Caliber
155 mm
Length
938 mm
Weight
47.6 kg
Muzzle Velocity
903 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
39 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles
Ammunition (Option 4)
Type
ERFB-WP
Caliber
155 mm
Length
938 mm
Weight
47.9 kg
Muzzle Velocity
795.5 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
25 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles
Ammunition (Option 5)
Type
ERFB Ill
Caliber
155 mm
Length
940 mm
Weight
45.8 kg
Muzzle Velocity
789.2 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
24 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles ea
Ammunition (Option 6)
Type
ERFB BE
Caliber
155 mm
Length
940 mm
Weight
45.7 kg
Muzzle Velocity
974.5 m/s
Maximum Effective Range
26 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
30 Total of any combination projectiles
Coaxial Weapon System
System
Name
1 x W-85 Heavy Machine Gun
Type
Heavy Machine Gun
Caliber
12.7 mm
Max Rate of Fire
600 rds/min
Sustain Rate of Fire
550 rds/min
Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained
INA
Range Finder Type
Iron/Optical
Basic Load
1000 (50 round belts)
Feed System
Belt
Operation
Gas Operated, Open Belt
Traverse
360 deg
Elevation
+90 deg
Ammunition
Type
Type 54 Round
Caliber
12.7 mm
Cartridge
12.7mm x 108mm
Muzzle Velocity
850 m/s
Effective Range
2.5 km
Armor Penetration
Yes
Basic Load
480 ea
Fire Control
Name
INA
Computerized FCS
Yes
Fire-Control Calculator (FCC)
Enabled
Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander
Yes
Thermal Sight Gunner
Yes
Main Gun Stabilization
Yes, two spades can be lowered at the rear of the hull, one either side and in line with the track
Automatic Laying System
Yes
Optical sighting system
Yes
Navigation System
Yes
GPS Receiver
Yes
Direct Fire
Yes
Indirect Fire
Yes
Automatic Fire Suppression Systems
Yes
Protection
Hull Armor
All-welded steel armor that can withstand small arms fire and shelling
Turret Armor
All-welded steel armor that can withstand small arms fire and shelling
Applique Armor
No
Explosive Reactive Armor
No, the PLZ-45 is not intended to be stationed near the front lines of the battlefield
Active Protection System
Yes, explosion detection
Active Fire Suppression System
Yes
Mine Clearing
No
Self-Entrenching Blade
No
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
INA
IR Signature
INA
Grenade Launchers
Yes, 2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
P
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
10.52 m
Width
3.3 m
Height
—
Weight
33000 kg
Operators (5)
China
Algeria
Ethiopia
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
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